The *Schaumburg Daily Herald* recently published an article exploring potential changes to the qualifications needed to become a firefighter in the village. The public safety committee has proposed lowering the maximum starting age for new firefighters and police officers from 40 to 35, as well as requiring all new firefighters to hold a bachelor’s degree—similar to the current standard for village police officers.
According to Assistant Village Attorney Rita Elsner, the proposed age change is aimed at aligning with state law. However, the statute is quite detailed and includes several exceptions, such as for those who have served in the military. Additionally, the law sets a minimum hiring age of 21, which Schaumburg Police Chief James Lamkin believes reflects an expectation of maturity among law enforcement personnel.
Lamkin also noted that the village has long required its police officers to have at least a bachelor’s degree, which contributes to a broader base of knowledge and experience among the force. This standard has helped maintain a high level of professionalism within the department.
Assistant Village Manager Paula Hewson pointed out that Schaumburg may soon be one of the few municipalities still requiring a bachelor’s degree for new firefighters. Previously, the fire department accepted either an associate or bachelor’s degree. However, candidates with bachelor’s degrees have already been receiving preference points during the hiring process, placing them higher on the list.
Hewson added that while the new requirement might not significantly impact who gets hired, it could still influence the overall pool of applicants. She explained that the statute applies when a new hiring list is created, and these lists typically remain valid for two to three years after testing.
This month alone, around 390 candidates took the test for Schaumburg’s police officer hiring list, according to Lamkin. With these updates, the village continues to shape its recruitment practices to meet both legal standards and community expectations.
Thanks, Dan.
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